An all inclusive trip, we went up Devil's Backbone on the ascent and decended through the Sierra Club Ski Hut Trail. On the way back we took an extra special detour through Manker Cutoff, not recommended. The trail is a proposed advanced bike trail and is not maintained, the trail has a lot of loose rocks and you can fall down easily.

This was my second attempt at Baldy. My friends and I made an attempt in May, but the entire mountain was covered in clouds/fog. When we made that attempt everything was covered in ice and we even got caught in a small hale storm. Eventually the cold got the best of us and we called it a day after passing the boulder field.

Two months later and we went for it again. We hit the trailhead at about 8:30 and made very good time getting to the ski hut. Some menacing looking clouds had started forming over the summit. Luckily the clouds blocked the sun for most of our climb past the boulder field. As we neared the top, some climbers on their way down advised us that there was a lot of lightning coming from the clouds.

We hit the summit at about 12:30. We ate lunch and watched the lightning strikes hitting across the valley between us and the Baden-Powell area. We left the summit at about 1:30.

Moments after leaving the summit, I was shocked to realise that I had drank all of the water in my 3 liter bladder. Luckily we had a spare 16 ounce bottle of water to last me for the descent.

The descent was rather trying. The heat of the day was in full-effect, and there was no cloud-cover to protect us. Heat became a major factor as we passed the ski hut. It made for very slow going.

We made it back to the car at 4:30. If you plan to do this hike in the summer, be sure to bring plenty of water.

Troop 883 bagged another peak. We spent the night with a group from the Sierra Club at the hut(Great Hosts) on Saturday night and climbed to the top by noon on Sunday. We had three rookies with us making their first peaks. Way to go guys! Snow on the trail up from the hut and clear once we reached the notch. The group included 2 adults Scott and Mike and 7 boys Kyle, Pat, Shea, Kevin, Danny, Georgie and Kyle M. We were joined at the hut by a mom and her 7 year old son (Kat and Zaid) they went with us to the top.

After cold temps and snow falling during the previous week - thought this would be a great time for some winter climbing and views from Mt Baldy. I started from Baldy Notch about 10 AM. With breaks and moderate pace - about 2.5 hours up and 1.5 hours down. Temps were warm most of the climb until above 9000 ft with Wind chill. Snow was fairly solid along devils backbone with little post holeing on the way up. Not so good on the way down in the afternoon. Sinking in to my knees in some spots. On the way up - didn't need cramps at all - put them on for some sections on the way down. Had ice axe out on the backbone both ways though. Great views from the summit in all directions. Coming from home at Sea level only a few hours before I was feeling the thin air at the top, but felt good all the same

A beautiful hike from all sides. In September 2000 my son and I, with some friends, did a traverse beginning in Wrightwood and ending by descending the Bear Canyon trail. Very enjoyable hike. Yesterday we ascended via the Ski Hut trail, though we went up the bare icy slope rather than the switchbacks through the trees (just past the Ski Hut). We got a chance to try out the new crampons and ice axe. Very nice.

I have no idea how many times I have hiked to the top of Mt. Baldy. Maybe 25 or 30 times using all four routes and in all seasons. My favorite time of year to climb Baldy is winter. Even though it's Southern California Baldy gets a good amount of snow and is a great day climb and a good chance to use winter equipment.